DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole position for the 57th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2015 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jeff Gordon will start from the pole in his final Daytona 500 of his career.

Gordon announced last month this will be his final full-time season, and he’s been adamant next Sunday’s season-opening Daytona 500 will be the last of his career.

The four-time NASCAR champion is a three-time winner of “The Great American Race.”

Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson locked down the front row in Sunday’s qualifying session, which was done in knockout rounds for the first time in 57 years.

The qualifying was blasted by most of the drivers. Clint Bowyer called it a “cute show” after he wrecked in the first round. Reigning champion Kevin Harvick grumbled Daytona’s tradition had been ruined, while three-time champion Tony Stewart called it “a complete embarrassment for our series.”

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.